LONGITUDINAL PLASMA OSCILLATIONS IN AN ELECTRIC FIELD,

Abstract

The properties of longitudinal plasma oscillations in an external electric field are investigated. In a completely linear approximation, it is found that the direct-current electric field introduces essentially no new effects. A quasi-linear approximation is also considered, in which couplings between different plasma modes are neglected while the space-averaged distribution functions are assumed to be approximately independent of time. In this case, a Maxwellian distribution function is found to be always unstable against the growth of very long wavelength oscillations. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 27, 1959
Accession Number
AD0607413

Entities

People

  • B. D. Fried
  • H. W. Wyld
  • J. D. Jackson
  • M. Gell-mann

Organizations

  • TRW Inc.

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Couplings
  • Direct Current
  • Distribution Functions
  • Electric Fields
  • Lepidoptera
  • Long Wavelengths
  • Oscillation
  • Plasma Oscillation

Fields of Study

  • Mathematics
  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster